The Count Down to Death (Daryl Dixon Love story)

T W E L V E

I spread some torn blankets on the floor and I lie Lori on top of them. She's a ghostly white and Carl's panicking. He walks to the door and attempts to get Hershal but I hold him back and tears start to form in his eyes. I carefully place him next to Lori and they hug tears falling out of their eyes. Carl silently passes Maggie a knife and she takes a deep breath.
"Carl, you won't want to see this." Lori says, hugging her son one last time. "You hold that door shut, be a good boy and look after your father and your sibling. Give Hedi one last kiss from me." He kisses her and walks off to the door.
I hold her hand, and she looks into my eyes.
"You care for it like it's your own, you promise me. I told Rick he is fully supportive. And tell that Daryl to stop acting like a bitch, okay?" I nod my head and she wipes the tears from my eyes. "Sing."
I stare at her shocked and I sing the last part of Famous Last Words.
"I am not afraid to keep on living
I am not afraid to walk this world alone
Honey if you stay, I'll be forgiven
Nothing you can say can stop me going home

These bright lights have always blinded me
These bright lights have always blinded me
I say

I see you lying next to me
With words I thought I'd never speak
Awake and unafraid
Asleep or dead

'Cause I see you lying next to me
With words I thought I'd never speak
Awake and unafraid
Asleep or dead

'Cause I see you lying next to me
With words I thought I'd never speak
Awake and unafraid
Asleep or dead

'Cause I see you lying next to me
With words I thought I'd never speak
Awake and unafraid
Asleep or dead

I am not afraid to keep on living
I am not afraid to walk this world alone
Honey if you stay, I'll be forgiven
Nothing you can say can stop me going home
I am not afraid to keep on living
I am not afraid to walk this world alone
Honey if you stay, I'll be forgiven
Nothing you can say can stop me going home
I am not afraid to keep on living
I am not afraid to walk this world alone
Honey if you stay, I'll be forgiven
Nothing you can say can stop me going home"

I finish the song as Maggie holds the knife and lowers it into her stomach. Lori screams in pain and passes out. Maggie parts the skin and looks inside. Tears start to flow faster out of my eyes as I see Lori lay still and barely breathing.
"I can't tell what's what." She pales and pulls out a baby.
Loris breathing slows down and stops. Her hand tightens around mine and releases. I hear a baby crying and Carl stumbles back in, he quickly takes off his jacket and we wrap the baby inside. Maggie's bloody hands shake and I take the baby off her holding it close to my chest. I rock her gently looking up at Carl, he holds a pistol and aims it at his mom's head.
"Carl, I'll do it." I hold his arm.
"No, I should. Please get by the door, as soon as this shot goes off we need to run." He chokes out.
I take one last look at Lori before shoving my bow on my shoulder next to my quiver. I wait with Maggie, by the door, holding the baby girl in my hands. A gun shot goes off and Carl runs round the corner and we make our way back to the cell block. I hold the baby into my chest as we step out into the yard. Rick's eyes flicker to us and when he doesn't see Lori his face falls. As if to check he looks at Maggie but she shakes her head. I offer the baby to Rick but he shrugs me off and walks over to Carl. Chris quickly pushes us all into the cell block, leaving Rick and Carl outside. I look round the group.
"Where's T-Dog and Carol?" I ask, rocking the baby.
"We lost them when the walkers attacked. T-Dog's dead, and there's no sign of Carol." Chris fumbles with his dirty, cracked hands. "Andrew, is dead too. He was the one who let the walkers into the yard and turned on the generators."
We stand in silence for a bit, until Hershal speaks up.
"It's getting dark, so I suggest that we all go our cells and get ready for bed. It's best to leave Rick and Carl to mourn. Maggie and Glenn have gone to get some baby formula, bottles, a dummy and anything else she may need."
Beth walks forwards with a white box, stuffed with a pillow. "We can use this as a cot for now."
Everyone retreats to their cells, I told Hedi for tonight she should sleep in Chris's cell, to give Carl some space. Daryl hangs back and smiles at me. I return the smile and he pulls me into a hug, but I step back.
"Don't squish the baby, you elephant." I grin.
I pass the girl to him and he cleans the blood off her. Once he's done that I wrap her tightly in a blanket and I place her in the box.
"What's her name?" Daryl asks, picking up the box and moving it to our cell.
"She doesn't have one."
"How about Lil' Asskicker?" He smirks and grabs a permanent marker, writing her nickname on the box.
We place her on the table and I stand awkwardly looking at Daryl. He pulls in for another hug and kisses my lips lightly.
"I'm sorry for acting like a dick. I was just shocked, ya dad being 'ere and then Hedi. I hope ya forgive me."
I nod as I throw myself onto the bed, Daryl follows and hooks his arm under my head.
"I'm sorry for getting drunk and bailing like that. And for keeping Hedi a secret, I thought I'd never meet you again."
"Did Merle know, back at camp?"
"He knew it was me but not about Hedi, most of the time we hooked up he was drunk or high." I bite my lip as I snuggle my face into Daryl's neck. "We agreed not to say anything." I quietly yawn and soon I'm asleep.